Flexible coupling for rotary members



Feb. 14, 1928. 1,659,353

W. S. DWYER FLEXIBLE COUPLING FOR ROTARY MEMBERS Filed Aug. 16. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 fit-5:3

Inf/ nfo? W. S. DWYER FLEXIBLE COUPLING FOR ROTARY MEMBERS F.eb, 14, A 1923.

Filed Aug. 16. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet Z Feb. 14, 1928.

W. S DWYER FLEXIBLE COUPLING FOR ROTARY MEMBERS Filed Aug. 16, 1927 4 Sheets$heet 5 Feb. 14, 1928. 1,659,353

w. s. DWYER FLEXIBLE COUPLING FOR ROTARY MEMBERS 12 Filed Aug. 16. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 5 'FIE- ll 'n ve 11/0 7" WY/z'amSjJw er Feb. l i, 192d WILLIAM S. EJW'YER, D1? DEVON, CONNECTICUT.

FLEIIIBLE COUPLING FUR ROTARY MEMBERS.

Application filed August 18, 192?. Serial No. 213,354.

his invention relates to flexible connecry members, and has for its obetiect by the reeving of metal cables u -"h blocks that are carried by the rotary g the equivalent of a ball and socket vine a connection of this nature that will require no lubrication whatever.

Additional objects will be made manifest from the following detailed description 5 is a sect on at theline 55 of Figure (5 'l igure 1- Figure '4" is a view similar to Figure 6 but witlrthe clamping blocks of one rotary element removed while the other rotary element has been removed so as to show its clamping blocks alone ere 8 a section at the line 8-8 of is a section at theline 6,6 of

A C Figure 6 Figure 9 is Figure 6 Figure 10 is Figure 5- Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 1 but 11; a modification of the invention" a section at the line99 of a section at the line 101O of li igure 11- Figure 13 is a detail. section at the lin 13-13 of Figure 12, and

Figure 14L is a sectional elevation similar to Figure 8.

Similar numerals 01 reference denote like parts in the several figures of the drawing.

1, 2, are the rotary members, each of which carries at its inner end radially extending arms 1. the arms of each ,iember being diametrically opposed, and the arms of one iii ember being disposed in a plane at right to the plane in which the arms of the other member are disposed.

The arms 8 of the member 1 terminate in inwardly projecting lugs 5, and the arms 4:

urthr-r object of the inventionis to prosection at the line M of similar pair of grooves nre 12 is a section at the line 1212 of terminate in inwardly. projecting lugs 6, these lugs 5 and 6 extending toward each other and being substantially in the same cross plane. T are clamping blocks secured to the lugs by screw bolts 8, and v9 are clamping blocks secured to the lugs 6 by screw bolts 10 the lugs 5 and blocks 7 being formed with pairs of complementary clamping grooves 11, 12, while the lugs 6 and blocks 9 are formed withsimilar pairs of clamping grooves 13, let, these grooves being all of such shape that, when the clampin blocks are relaxed, said grooves will constitute openings through which a metal cable may be inserted in the manner and for the purpose presently to be described.

Centrally located between the lugs 5 and 6 and in substantially the same cross plane therewith, is a floating clamping block composed of a middle block 15 that is flanked by clamping blocks 16 and 17, these blocks being clamped together by a bolt 18 one end of which is headed as shown at 19, while on the other end is driven a nutQO.

Thoblocl; 15 in one face has a pair of ltllTED Sll'ATESl lhTEl lT OFF fill.

complementary clamping grooves 21 and the block 16 on that face has a similar pair of grooves while the other face of the block 15 has a pair of complementary clamping grooves 22-3 that are disposed in a direct-ion at right angles to that of the grooves 22, and the block 17 on this face is formed with a 2i, and when the blocks 16, 17, are relaxehall of these grooves will permit the insertion therethrough of a metal cable as will now be described.

25 is a metal cable which is inserted through the various grooves hereinbefore described, the endsof the cable being within one opening that is provided by one of the pair of grooves 23, 24, and for that reason these particular grooves are somewhat deeper than any of the other grooves, as will be readily seen by reference to Figures t and 8 wiihoutany special designation.

From an inspection of Figure? it will be four points in the center, and this crossing is effected through the oppositely extending pairs of grooves formed by the block 15 and the clamping blocks 16, 17, as above described, and the ends of the cable are housed within the larger one of the pair of grooves 23. 24.

The cable is placed under great tension, and all the clamping blocks are forced to grip the cable firmly, and all the sections of the cable are therefore taut, so that there can he no undue swaying of the arms, while at the same time. rocking movements of the arms in all directions are permitted the same as in theordinary ball and socket connection.

The central floating clamp block that is secured to sections of the cable that pass through said block in planes that intersect at right angles, serves as an elficient stabilizer. since it steadies the rotary movements of the arms and prevents undue swaying move" ments of the cable.

The manner in which the cable connects the parts is the preferred arrangement. since it will be apparent that the connectingof the opposed arms at their outer peripheries, as shown, is quite advantageous, in that motion is'communicated from one pair of arms to the other pair at a maximum 1everae'e. while any consequcntstrains are partially sustained by the stabilizer.

It is also preferred to use a single cable. although, since such cable is firmly clann ied to all the arms as well as to the stabilizer. the same effect would be produced by usingshort sections of cable. and therefore the invention is not limited in this respect.

In Figures 11 to 14 inclusive, I have shown a modification of this invention in which the connections between the parts are made by means of separate steel strips, and while this construction is practicable, by reason of the tactthat such strips are not only flexible but can be submitted to torsion, nevertheless the construction heretofore described is far preferable although the in vention is not limited to any particular means for connecting the arms of the rotary members through the medium of the stabilizer block.

Referring to these Figures 11 to let inclusive, 26 are flexible steel strips which are respectively secured to the lugs 5 and 6 by bolts 27, 28, and clamp blocks 29, 30, and 31 are likewise steel strips that are secured at their extremities to said lugs and 6, by the said bolts, and are crossed at their central portions and secured to an ordinary to the plane in which the arms of the other member extend. a floating clamp block be tween said members, flexible metallic means which. alternately connects the arms of one member with the arms of the other member and with said block. and devices for elamp ing said means to said arms and block.

2. A flexible connection for rotary members. comprising; branch arms extending ra dially in opposite directions from each o'l said members and terminating in inwardly extending: lugs, the arms of one member ex tending in a plane at right angles to the plane in which the arms oi? the other member extend, a floating clamp block between said members, flexible metal connections between said lugs and block, and means for clamping said connections to said lug and block.

3. A flexible connection for rotary members, comprising branch arms extending from said members and disposed in planes that are at right angles to each other. said arms their extremities beinc: in substantiall the same plane, a stabilize clamp block centrally disposed with respect to the extremities of said arms and in substantially the same plane therewith. a flexible metallic means for connecting the extremities of the arms of one member with the extremities ot' the arms of the other member tlu'oua'h the medium of said stabilizer, and individual clamps "for securing said means to all of said arms and to said stabilizer.

4. A. construction as in claim 1. in which the flexible metallic means is a. metal cable, which has parallel portions that extend be tween theends ot the arms of each. rotary member, which portions lead through the floating clamp block.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature hereto.

VVILLIJLM S. D WYrlll. 

